On the morning of the Michaelmas Fair Ragnall of the McNamara clan meets Mara on the path before her house as he goes about collecting the Michaelmas tribute.  His wagons are heavily laden with a larger than usual assortment of bags of flour, swatches of linen and iron implements  all due to the new wife of the clan leader whose lush proportions and demands for luxuries seem to have blinded  her spouse to his duties to his people. Mara spots a pair of intricately worked candlesticks the handiwork of the local blacksmith. Surely, he did intend these for his tribute offering!  But the surly man merely grunts and continues his task.

When Mara spies him in the market later his purse is bulging with silver and those who have had to pay more than their usual are grumbling. The blacksmith accosts him in a rage accusing him of stealing the candlesticks which he had labored over for a long time and intended to sell to the king.  Ragnall insists he was given them by the smith’s helper so it was legal. 

Everyone knows that the helper is mentally disabled and unaware of the value of the work.  Mara steps in. According to Irish law no one can accept such a gift when the giver has no idea of what he does so Mara will call a formal court in the next few days and sort out the problem.  Meanwhile she must intervene when a linen merchant is found to be selling people short.  Mara finds him at fault and makes him make restitution. 

 Restitution is the basis of Irish law and Harrison handily provides an excerpt at the start of each chapter.  There are penalties for every infraction of the law payable by the offender or his clan.  The amounts vary according to the status, occupation and marital state and on first reading seem impersonal but actually are very fair. For instance, the entire community is responsible for the care of those who are physically or mentally disabled.  Fines are paid in coin or in kind and everyone knows that the Brehon’s judgment is strictly bound by law.

 Before Ragnall appears before the judge his body is found.  An incriminating clue points to his daughter’s suitor, a young man she loves dearly but one her father deemed unworthy.  Did young Donal kill Ragnall in a rage?  Where is the dead man’s horse?  Why did it not return to its home or found wandering the roads?

When the baker is discovered dead in his mill stream it could be suicide but that seems unlikely given his piety. Several parties are eager to claim his mill among them his lord, the McNamara, whose uxoriousness may prove his downfall.

 When Mara is summoned to the lord’s estate she has a chance to see Slaney , the lord’s wife and experience her rudeness and lack of manners.  The impression is not favorable.  Slaney ignores the Brehon failing to offer rudimentary courtesies an act that shames her husband.

So, now Mara must resolve the deaths of two men with her knowledge of the Law and her people and the eyes and ears of her pupils. It doesn’t help that King Turlough has asked for her hand to make her his queen. Would that mean forsaking the Law?  Could she agree to another of the several degrees of marriage accepted by Irish law?  Who will monitor justice?  Is that fair to this man who loves her for herself even if his is a direct descendant of Brian Boru? 

Fairness and justice are the core of Irish law.  King and leaders are not hereditary but selected by merit, a practice which could have had an immeasurable difference if applied to the English crown. Indeed what if there were no War of the Roses or Hundred Years War?  Selection by merit could have changed history.

 This is the second in Harrison’s series bringing us a 16th century version of Sr. Fidelma both women who judge with hearts and minds.  Were they to meet they would be instant friends, I’m sure.  The only criticism of the book is the many Irish phrases which are not always translated.  A list of common terms with a pronunciation guide would be most appreciated as would a brief explanation of the clan system for those unfamiliar with Irish history. My plea?  “Guilty” of enjoying this tale and hoping for more. 

--Jane Davis